The Season of Fun and Learning: Summer Educational Activities for Kids

School’s out and summer’s in! It’s that time of year when the kids are home and looking for entertainment for three whole months. Don’t let the summer break be an excuse for your kids to forget everything they’ve learned the previous year- you can keep the learning process going at home. There are tons of fun activities aimed at keeping kids entertained during their vacations, all while furthering their educational journeys and healthy lifestyles. Read on for our favorite summertime educational activities for kids.

1. Eat the Rainbow

They say the more colorful your plate, the more nutritious- so why not celebrate all the colors of fruits and vegetables? Not only will this teach your young ones all about ROYGBIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet), but it will open their eyes to the vast world of produce. Make a game out of seeing who can eat the most (healthy) colors every day. Red peppers, purple eggplant, yellow corn, green grapes, blueberries- is your mouth watering yet?

2. Visit Farmer’s Markets

Farmer's markets are popping up everywhere, and summer is peak season for farmer’s markets. They're one of the best places to learn about which fruits and vegetables are in season. Take kids to your local market and let them help you pick out their favorite produce. Encourage them to ask the vendors about the farming process and inspire them to try new things. It will help them gain an appreciation for fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. Prepare Meals Together

The fun and learning doesn’t have to stop when you leave the farmer’s market; continue the journey at home! Work together with your kids to come up with creative and delicious ways to use the produce you bought at the market in your cooking. Teach your kids about the science of cooking, all while having a blast together. As a plus, they’ll learn to love their fruits and vegetables because nothing beats fresh produce from the farmer’s market!

4. Go on a Hike

Hiking, or even just going on a walk through the backyard, is a great way to spend some quality time together, get active and learn about nature all at the same time. Use this time to point out local wildlife and teach the importance of outdoor safety. Make a whole day out of it! Bring a blanket and some healthy snacks and have a picnic in the shade. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

5. Plant a Garden

Gardening is a great way to channel your children’s natural curiosity, while having fun in the great outdoors. Assign kids different responsibilities in the garden to teach them new skills like planting, watering and harvesting. Celebrate their accomplishments by preparing a healthy meal together with the fruits and vegetables they helped grow. There’s no better way to get kids excited to eat their produce!

What’s your favorite fun and educational way to spend the summer with your kids? Tell us in the comments!